Blackeyed Theatre is marking the 60th anniversary of Joan Littlewood’s Oh, What A Lovely War! with a major new touring production of the classic anti- war musical.
Launching at the Wilde Theatre in Bracknell from 14-16 September, the 60th anniversary tour will include a three-week run at Southwark Playhouse Borough in London from 21 November until 9 December.
Commenting on the production, director Nicky Allpress said: “I’m so thrilled to be directing this unique piece of theatrical history, having followed Blackeyed Theatre and their extraordinary work for many years.
“One of the most exciting things about Oh, What a Lovely War! is how universal, timeless, and ever relevant it is, and a testament to the brilliance of the work is how it can bear endless reinterpretation.
“Our concept will explore the idea of war as a circus, with an incredibly talented company of actor-musicians bringing Joan Littlewood’s ground-breaking classic to life with music, comedy and stories.”
The production stars Christopher Arkeston (Only Fools and Horses: The Musical, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Revolting Women, Mikron Theatre Company, Much Ado About Nothing, Cambridge Shakespeare Festival), 2023 Rose Bruford graduate Tom Crabtree, Harry Curley (Once, Barn Theatre, Summer in the City, The Gatehouse, Caligari, Underbelly), Alice E Mayer (Frankenstein, Blackeyed Theatre, The Chronicles of Wild Hollow, Audible; Y Mabinogi, Welsh tour), Chioma Uma (Brief Encounter, New Wolsey and UK tour, Kiss Me Kate, Watermill Theatre, Cinderella The Rockin’ Panto!, New Wolsey Theatre) and Euan Wilson (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Vienna English Theatre, The Great Gatsby, Immersive London, Stick Man, UK tour).
The creative team for the production also includes musical director Ellie Verkerk, movement director Adam Haigh, orchestrator Tom Neill, set designer Victoria Spearing, costume designer Naomi Gibbs, lighting designer Alan Valentine and producer Adrian McDougall.
Angela Thomas
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